A Comparison of the Toxicology of Triethylene Glycol Dinitrate and Propylene Glycol Dinitrate

Abstract

In most species the LD50 of triethylene glycol dinitrate (TEGDN) is two to five times as high as that of propylene glycol dinitrate (PGDN). Both compounds produce methemoglobinemia and hypotension in rats. However, TEGDN- poisoned rats tremor violently and expire, apparently in respiratory arrest, after acute convulsive episodes. PDGN-poisoned rats are lethargic and do not convulse. In vitro TEGDN at concentrations above 1.5mM blocks nerve-stimulated contraction of a phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation, and this interference with nerve-muscle communication appears to be the cause of the tremoring. Chronic daily dermal applications to rabbits of 21 mmoles/kg of both dinitrates cause death in 2 to 3 weeks. PGDN-treated rabbits gain weight normally, while those treated with TEGDN lose 20 to 30% of their body weight. Guinea pigs receiving as little as 100 mg/kg of TEGDN ip daily have decreased food intake and retarded weight gain. The toxic responses to these two dinitrates are therefore sufficiently different to preclude simple comparisons in hazard evaluations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 28, 1973
Accession Number
AD0776831

Entities

People

  • Melvin E. Anderson
  • Raymond G. Mehl

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Animals
  • Blood
  • Body Weight
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Digestive System Processes
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Laboratory Animals
  • Lethal Dosage
  • Liquid Explosives
  • Nervous System
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Phrenic Nerves
  • Propylene Glycol
  • Rodents
  • Spinal Cord
  • Toxicity
  • Veins

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology